- Zelensky Assures That It Is A "Historic" Day After The Entry Of The Ukrainian Military In Kherson

The Ukrainian flag waving in the center of Kherson. / Telegram

The West would have already offered Putin the terms of surrender while Russia loses control of Kherson

The West would have offered Vladimir Putin "surrender terms" while Russian troops lose control of Kherson, Valery Solovey, a former professor at the Moscow Institute of International Relations, explained to the Daily Mail.

Solovey, who claims Kremlin connections, has explained that surrender would see Russia return the rest of Kherson and the Zaporizhia, Luhansk, and Donetsk regions to Ukraine. The Crimean peninsula, illegally occupied in 2014, would become a demilitarized zone, the Black Sea fleet would be relocated, and its status would not be discussed again until 2029.

In exchange for returning the illegally annexed territories to Russia, both Putin and his associates would not be charged for crimes committed during the war and would also be allowed to remain in power, the professor continued.

He has also said that the proposal was discussed between Kyiv and its Western allies before being presented to Putin's inner circle, who reportedly reacted positively to the idea.

According to Solovey, another demilitarized zone of almost 100 kilometers would also be created "along and wide the borders between Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine, in which heavy weapons would not be allowed. In addition, Russia would have to give up its military presence in the Transnistria region in Moldova and Ukraine would have to commit not to join NATO for at least seven years.

Six countries have agreed to provide security guarantees backing the deal, Solovey said, though he did not name them. The guarantees would likely include a pact to come to Ukraine's defense if it were attacked again, and the guarantors would likely include Kyiv's closest allies, including the US and UK.

In recent days, Russia has been calling for a return to the negotiating table and the US is believed to be trying to get Ukraine to do the same. However, on several occasions, Zelensky has stated that as long as Putin remains in power there will be no negotiations.